Psychology (B.A.): Pre-Professional Counseling concentration

The B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Pre-Professional Counseling is designed to provide psychology majors with basic knowledge and a foundational set of skills needed for success in post-baccalaureate training in counseling-related disciplines. In addition, it prepares students for the required capstone internship experience needed to work in clinical settings, and it incorporates career exploration. This concentration does not provide direct route to a job as a “counselor” or to admissions in JSC’s graduate counseling program; rather, it provides students who wish to pursue a career in mental health-related fields with a tangible path to follow in the psychology major. Students graduate with a B.A.in Psychology with a concentration in Pre-Professional Counseling.

Psychology Programs at JSC

Students in the B.A. in Psychology program explore a wide range of theories concerning human behavior, development, thought, emotion, learning, intelligence, personality, group dynamics and abnormal behavior. Through coursework, fieldwork and research opportunities, students apply the knowledge gained in class to the real world and are encouraged to use what they learn toward understanding themselves and their relationships. Students have the opportunity to work as research assistants during the school year and in the summer. An internship is required. Elective options help students explore career possibilities, such as working with the chronically mentally ill, with children and families, and in the areas of organizational psychology, addictions, art therapy, forensic psychology and more. However, the study of psychology provides excellent preparation for careers not only in psychology, but in any field in which an understanding of human behavior is useful.

Learning Outcomes

The B.A. in Psychology is designed to produce students who graduate with a strong understanding the field of psychology, how it relates to interpersonal communication and behavior, and the practical application of this knowledge and skill set.

* Psychology internships must be arranged the semester prior to which they are to occur and must be included in the plan of study. The required internship must be taken concurrently with the Senior Seminar. Students completing the Health & Sport Psychology concentration must complete their internship in an area/setting relevant to health and sport psychology.

Pre-Professional Counseling Curriculum (15 credits)

In addition to the 11 core psychology courses, students completing the concentratin in Pre-Professional Counseling must complete the following courses, which apply toward the major’s electives requirement as well.